How to Make Inexpensive Home Made Pizza

Pizza night has long been an American tradition. Sadly, many people think homemade pizza is a difficult, if not impossible task. Homemade pizza is very easy, economical and does not have to include a box with a mustached chef.

The most important part of the pizza is the crust. This recipe is very inexpensive, costing less than one dollar for four pizza crusts. Selecting the toppings for homemade pizza is as individualized as the cook. A pizza can be as simple as crust, sauce and cheese. For variety, brush the crust with olive oil, spread thinly sliced roma tomatoes and top with slices of fresh mozzarella and a sprinkling of basil.

While pizza stones can cost quite a bit of money, there is a less expensive alternative. Unglazed quarry tiles can be purchased at most big-box lumber/hardware stores in 4-inch or 6-inch squares. The standard oven rack can be covered, leaving circulation space around the sides, for less than $15. There is no need to remove the stones from the oven. When baking, just place pans directly on the stones and there is no difference in baking times. But, if you really want to have a perfect and delicious pizza crust, try using a proper pizza oven. You can check some options on Californo.

Crust:

5 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon instant (rapid-rise) yeast

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 ¾ to 2 cups room temperature water

Directions:

In bowl of food processor fitted with a dough blade, combine flour, sugar, salt and yeast.

Pulse food processor 2-3 times to blend dry ingredients.

With food processor running, slowly pour the olive oil and 1 ¾ cups of water through the chute. Continue to process until combined.

Allow dough to rest for five minutes.

Process the dough again for approximately 1 minute, adding additional flour or water if necessary. The pizza dough will be more wet and sticky than typical bread dough, but should pull away from the sides of the bowl. This dough is not intended to be kneaded.

Divide the dough into four equal portions. Place each portion into an oiled zip-close bag.

Allow the dough to rest for one hour at room temperature.

If the dough will not be baked the same day, it can be frozen for up to one month. Remove dough from freezer and let thaw in refrigerator overnight before baking. Allow to rest at room temperature for at least one hour before shaping.

On a piece of parchment paper, shape dough into desired pizza shape and thickness.

Top with sauce and toppings of choice.

Using the back of a baking sheet or a pizza peel, transfer the pizza onto a baking stone that has been preheated to a minimum of 450 degrees. A temperature of 500 degrees is desirable.

Bake the pizza for five minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is baked through.

Sauce:

2 tablespoons minced onion (fresh, not dried)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 8-ounce can tomato sauce

1 6-ounce can tomato paste

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Pinch of sea salt

Directions:

In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, sauté the minced onion in the olive oil over medium heat until translucent.

Add garlic and stir for one minute, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste and stir until well-blended, reducing heat to low.

Add the balsamic vinegar, oregano, basil, pepper and salt. Stir well.

Allow to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow flavors to blend.

Allow sauce to cool for at least 15 minutes before spreading on pizza crust.

Pizza sauce can be frozen. Allow to thaw overnight in refrigerator before using.